Candle light tour in Pisa for the Luminara night

Luminara 2011

As every year on June 16th Pisa renews the tradition of the Luminara of San Ranieri, within the celebration of the "Pisan June", the most eventful month of the year in Pisa. This year the festivity falls on Saturday and you may exptect thousands people from all over Tuscany and abroad to overflow into the streets at sunset, yet before the show starts. 

The Luminara consists in seventy-thousand candles, set in glasses and fixed in wooden white frames, placed on the outline of the buildings, bridges, churches and towers along the Arno river. The Leaning Tower with its surrounding area is illuminated with oil lamps set in the city walls of the Holy Field.
I am lucky becasue, thanks to some close friends of mine living on the Lungarno, I am able to assist to this wonderful display from an exclusive position. Unfortunately, there are not many possibilities to access to private venues, unless you are invited...Even the Town Hall overlooking on the left site quay cannot be accessed by the public. For those of you wishing to live this event from a provileged point of view, I suggest to book, very well in advance, a room at Hotel Royal Victoria.
During the whole night the city center is enliven by several celebrations, music and different events and it ends with the suggestive fireworks.
The most attractive and packed fulcrum of the event is around Piazza delle Vettovaglie and Borgo Stretto. Here you will be able to taste some very typical recipes, such as panzanella, veggy quiche, focaccia con Toscano ham  and flows of wine and beer...indeed, if you are not too keen on crowd, stay away from that area...I'd suggest booking a table at the Pizzeria Vecchio Dado, which is right close to Piazza Garibaldi, where you will have more space to move and maybe queue a while for a gelato at Bottega del Gelato. Pisa will be totally switched off in the central area and you will not find it easy to orientate. 
If you need some help to arrange your visit, you can call on Wishversilia. We will be able to provide the best choice according to your requirements. For instance, kids are very welcome to enjoy the Luminara, but do consider a few hints before going. They will find many nice fluorescent toys on their way and loads of sweets. I suggest to stay in Piazza Dante, in front of the Sapienza Faculty, or Via Santa Maria and stretch to the Lungarni area to watch fireworks by 11pm.
If you are travelling by car, you can park for free in the area of the Stadium, but remember they are shutting down at 12pm or you can choose one of the private parkings in the Central Station area. In bothe cases, you will need to make a short walk to reach for the Lungarni.
Enjoy your candle light tour in Pisa!